Chapter 101
"Elder Jo. Have you come?"
The disciples greeted him. Jo Uin, who was of the same generation as Pung Oksan.
As is the case everywhere, there are factions in Zhongnan as well. The largest faction was Elder Jo's faction. But as corruption became a problem, the position of sect leader was passed on to the current sect leader. That was already twelve or thirteen years ago. Jo Uin was the son of that Elder Jo.
"Where is Grand-brother Pung?"
He looked around and asked, but no one answered. The only people who knew were Mok Wigun and Pyon Juksu, but Mok Wigun was just staring at Jo Uin instead of answering.
"I want to sleep. I haven't slept for two days. Hehehe."
Mok Wigun was staggering and saying that. So Jo Uin couldn't get the answer he wanted.
"Can't you hear me? I asked where Grand-brother Pung is."
"We don't know either."
So Jeonghak answered. At that, Jo Uin got angry.
"I definitely heard it as I was passing by. Where are you telling a lie?"
"No. We don't know."
The other disciples also said in unison. And their gazes naturally turned to Mok Wigun.
"Oh ho. It seems you know. Speak. Where is Grand-brother Pung?"
Jo Uin, who was approaching him and pressing him. Mok Wigun said to him.
"Who are you to speak to me so informally?"
At those words, Jo Uin's footsteps stopped abruptly.
"What? Is this brat crazy?"
"Do you know me? When did you see me to say I'm crazy or not?"
Mok Wigun spoke quietly. He spoke and acted as if he was dealing with a subordinate. At that, Jo Uin got even angrier and shouted.
"Alright. Who are you? Who are you to be here without permission?"
"Me? I'm Mok Wigun, the master of the Demon Dragon Manor."
At Mok Wigun's words, Jo Uin was startled. He had also heard the story of the Demon Dragon Manor. The new powerhouse of Chang'an who had caught the single-horned great serpent. Wasn't Physician Pyon a person of that Demon Dragon Manor?
But his lips immediately curled up. The look of underestimation was evident. If it's Mok Wigun, he's a child who was in Zhongnan for a while. Jo Uin had also seen him ten years ago. Although they hadn't been close. He had heard that he had paid quite a lot of money recently because of that connection.
"Oh ho. So you're Mok Wigun."
"You? How on earth did Zhongnan educate you to be so rude to the head of a sect?"
Mok Wigun sternly rebuked him.
"I will see the sect leader and question this matter."
When Mok Wigun said that, Jo Uin was flustered.
"There's no need to go that far."
"Is this the attitude to treat the head of another sect? You ill-mannered brat."
In fact, age is not that important in the martial world. Skill and status are more important.
Although Mok Wigun is the head of a newly created place, he is the head of a sect. And the head of a place that is gaining a huge reputation. Although Jo Uin belongs to a historic sect called Zhongnan, he is just a disciple. He shouldn't have spoken so informally in the first place.
"You're still holding your head up stiffly? You must be confident that you can handle the consequences."
Jo Uin bit his lip. He was a person who had reigned like a king, trusting his father, Elder Jo. When had he ever been humiliated like this? But now it was a situation where he had no choice. Jo Uin lowered his posture and apologized.
"I'm sorry."
It was obvious that he was forcing himself to do something he didn't want to do.
"That's enough. You can go now."
But the guy didn't just go back.
"But where is Grand-brother Pung now?"
"I will tell the sect leader everything, so wait."
What can he do when he says he will tell the sect leader first? Jo Uin stepped back with a slightly annoyed expression. He would have to be dragged around by the young Mok Wigun. So it was obvious that he would only be disgraced if he stayed here any longer.
When he disappeared from sight, the disciples rushed to Mok Wigun.
"Wow. Wigun, you're really amazing."
"That's right. It feels like just yesterday when we were playing together."
Someone stopped such disciples and said.
"Hey. Didn't you hear what he just said? He's the head of a sect called the Demon Dragon Manor. How can you treat him so informally?"
Mok Wigun smiled and said to his friends.
"You guys are fine."
A childhood friend is a friend even when you grow up. In private, they also speak informally to each other. Of course, it would be a little different in a public setting. And can a friend be the same as a guy you've never seen before in your life?
Looking at them brought back memories. He had last seen most of them when he was ten. At that time, they were really innocent children, but now they were all in their late teens or early twenties.
"But is Grand-uncle Pung really okay?"
"Don't worry. He's in a safe place now."
It's not that far. He's in a cave. It's just that they can't find him because a barrier has been spread around it.
"I have to meet the sect leader first, so let's see each other in a little while."
Mok Wigun said goodbye to his friends and walked to the sect leader's residence.
* * *
"Haha. Is that really true?"
Jeung Yakcheon, the sect leader of the Zhongnan Sect, couldn't hide his surprise.
"Yes. Fortunately, he saved his life."
"That's a relief. It's a real relief."
How shocked had he been when Pung Oksan had collapsed like that? The only thing he could trust now was Pung Oksan, just one person. But he had found him dying in a gruesome form. And in the Zhongnan Sect at that.
"I'm really receiving a lot of your help. How can I repay this favor?"
Jeung Yakcheon was a person who suited the words 'a man of noble character'. He had white hair and a white beard that came down to his chest, and he had a warm and benevolent face.
"No. But it will take a lot of time to be like before."
"I guess so. Since he was so seriously injured. But it's a relief that he saved his life."
Although Sect Leader Jeung Yakcheon said he was relieved, his face was full of shadows.
"But now it's really the end. I don't think I can endure it any longer because I'm exhausted."
Jeung Yakcheon, who had been lonelyly protecting Zhongnan against Elder Jo's faction, which was causing trouble and interfering in every matter. Still, he had been able to endure because there was Pung Oksan.
So when Pung Oksan's illness got better and he was regaining his previous skills, he was happier than anyone else. He also had a little hope. That perhaps Pung Oksan could go to the Heavenly Martial Arts Assembly and get a good result. But now even that hope had become a bubble.
It's over. Everything is over, and Zhongnan will be sealed.
"No. It's not too late yet."
Although Mok Wigun said there was still hope, Jeung Yakcheon just laughed. It was because he thought he was saying it to comfort him. But Mok Wigun's words were sincere.
"There is a way."
"A way?"
As he repeatedly said it, Sect Leader Jeung Yakcheon showed a little interest.
"I talked about that problem with Daoist Master Pung."
"Oh? What did he say?"
"We discussed various methods. And we concluded that it's not time to give up yet."
Jeung Yakcheon couldn't easily believe it. What hope could there be when Pung Oksan was in that state?
"You'll be able to hear it when you meet Daoist Master Pung soon."
"Yes. I also want to see Oksan."
He was curious if he was really okay. And how much he had recovered.
"But apart from that, shouldn't we sort out the internal enemies?"
Jeung Yakcheon looked at Mok Wigun intently. He was thinking what he meant by saying that. He also thought that perhaps he had been instigated by Elder Jo. Because there had been a time before when he had set a trap like this.
But he judged that it wasn't. Why would he set such a trap in a situation like this? In a situation where it would be ruined on its own even if he left it alone. And isn't he supporting him with so much money and has a special relationship with Pung Oksan?
'Yes. If this is also a trap, this will really be the end.'
Jeung Yakcheon decided to trust Mok Wigun.
"I also want to. But I have no power and no way, do I?"
"I will help you."
Jeung Yakcheon had also heard the story. That Mok Wigun had recently gained a great reputation. He had also heard the unbelievable story that he had caught the single-horned great serpent and the human-faced spider. But could he punish Elder Jo's faction, which was like a slippery eel?
"You could also be in danger."
"Elder Jo? It will be difficult for someone like Elder Jo to put me in danger."
In a way, it was a very arrogant and conceited statement. But for some reason, Jeung Yakcheon felt that it would really be like that.
"Does the position make the man? Or did a person who deserves it take the position?"
Jeung Yakcheon was very proud that Mok Wigun, whom he had seen as a little kid, had grown up so gallantly. And he thought of Lady Son.
'If Lady Son were alive, she would have been very happy...'
The Son family and the Zhongnan Sect had a special relationship. Although they had become a little distant because of the incident ten years ago.
"Alright! Let's do it. What can't we do in this situation? Yes. What can I help you with?"
"I will take care of the trivial matters. You just have to clearly state the will of Zhongnan at the end, sect leader."
"What's so difficult about that? I'll do that."
Mok Wigun, who had confirmed that the sect leader had made up his mind, stood up from his seat. Mok Wigun, who came out, organized his thoughts.
"I'll have to call some people. And there's also something I have to ask them to bring."
The work in Zhongnan was just beginning.
* * *
"No. Pung Oksan is alive. What kind of nonsense is that?"
Taeseokgwan shouted in great anger. Lady Jang, who was in front of him, was on pins and needles.
"It was said that he was almost dead."
She had hired an assassin by paying a large sum of money. And she had heard the news that he had been dealt with almost certainly. So she had thought it was over, but suddenly, Pung Oksan, who was on the verge of death, had come back to life.
"They said even the Great Luo Immortal couldn't save him..."
At Lady Jang's words, Taeseokgwan got even angrier.
"Then are you saying that Mok Wigun is above the Great Luo Immortal? Is he some kind of Jade Emperor?"
He sighed deeply and then muttered.
"To think he can't even handle such a thing properly. How can I trust and entrust him with work like this?"
For a mutter, it was a loud voice. It was a voice that was loud enough for Lady Jang and Baek Seokhu, who were in the room, to hear.
"Lady Jang. Didn't I even introduce you to an insider? But..."
Assassination is not that simple. You need a lot of information about the target, and of course, you also need information about the place.
So Baek Seokhu had connected him with Jo Uin, whom he had recruited from before. So the assassin had been able to easily enter the Zhongnan Sect. But it had all been for nothing.
"The problem is not just that Pung Oksan is alive."
Taeseokgwan sighed and said.
(End of Chapter)